Sometimes known as the Maui Benoits, Phil and Angela Benoit have been married 20 years and have been playing jazz professionally and making records since 1997.
Angela, a Maui native, brings an irresistible, smooth approach to her craft. She’s a natural talent that has a remarkable studio presence as well as captivating, live appeal. Born to a musical family, she’s been singing all her life and with the help of various vocal coaches and constant gigging, she’s become a blue-chip singer.
Phil, the guitar-playing younger brother of renowned jazz pianist David Benoit, is a self-taught musical talent. He’s been studying and playing jazz guitar for the last decade after being more of a blues/rock man in his earlier years. His performance highlights include playing with David at the Maui Music Festival and with the Honolulu Symphony Orchestra. He’s also played the Hawaii International Jazz Festival three years running as rhythm guitarist for the popular gypsy-jazz group Gypsy Pacific.
The Benoits' first studio project “Watch What Happens†was recorded in 2001 at Emerald City Studios in Paia, Maui. Phil collaborated with accomplished bass player and producer Marcus Johnson. Together they compiled a sweet collection of some favorite jazz standards and bossas. Featuring Angela Benoit, they added some of Maui’s best musicians to make it a hip and successful jazz record. Brother David Benoit joins the band on a couple of cuts including his hit composition “Some Other Sunsetâ€.
In 2005 Phil again hooked up with another talented bass player and producer Bob Harrison to record their second project "A Man And A Woman". Trying to capture the “live†jazz club feel, they put together the most swingin’ rhythm cats in town and laid down some live tracks. What they came up with was a very exciting body of work, again featuring Angela Benoit being complemented with talented instrumentalists. The choice of songs must be heard to appreciate – it’s out of the ordinary and captivating. David Benoit is also showcased as well as their late father, Bob. The three of them do a heart-rending version of “Stella By Starlight†and Phil and David combined to write the catchy bossa “Swingin’ Waikikiâ€.
The Benoits enjoy “up-country†island living with their son Max and daughter Kendall.
